Automobile clearance signal



1937- R. R. ALLISON ET AL 2,071,100

AUTOMOBILE CLEARANCE SIGNAL Filed June 18, 193R m 6J INVENTOR5.

mam J75): ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMOBILE' CLEARANCE SIGNAL Application June 18, 1936, Serial No. 85,906

5 Claims.

Our invention relates to improvements in automobile clearance signals for attachment to the sides of trucks and other cars.

One object of our invention is to provide a novel clearance signal that is simple, cheap, strong, durable, which is visible from the front, side and rear, and which is eflicient in operation.

Another object of our invention is the provision of novel means for fastening the lens, reflector and electric lamp in their operative positions, that enables their easy and quick replacement when required.

The novel features of our invention are here inafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates our invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a clearance signal embodying one form of our invention that includes a. reflector, and which is shown attached to a portion of a side of an automobile body.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an underview of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the same.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lens mounted in the reflector.

Fig. 6 is a View, partly in vertical section, and partly in side elevation of the electric lamp and its means of attachment as employed in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Fig. '7 is a reduced side elevation of a clearance signal embodying another form of our invention in which the reflector as a separate element is eliminated.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged. vertical cross section of the signal shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. '7.

Similar characters of reference designate similar parts in the different views.

The signal is provided with a supporting member comprising a metal channel having its transverse portion I adapted to be attached flatwise against a side portion 2 of a truck or other car body by two screws 3, and the arcuate flanges 4 of the supporting member extending horizontally outwardly from the car body, as shown in Fig. 1, which illustrates one form of our invention.

Between the flanges 4 is a reflector comprising a metal strip 5 disposed parallel with the portion l and having its ends formed into two outwardly facing grooves 6 in which are respectively fitted the ends of a strip of material, as celluloid l which is permeable to light and which is clear or colored to suit the character of signal to be displayed. The reflector holds the strip 1 in arcuate form spaced inwardly from the outer edges of the flanges 4, thereby affording protection to the lens, reflector and to an electric lamp disposed between the reflector and the lens comprising the celluloid strip 1. 5

The electric lamp is of usual construction comprising a socket member 8 having a lower end provided therethrough with a hole 9 through which extends an insulated electric wire I0 the upper end of which is attached electrically to'a l0 conductive button or contact ll adapted to contact with the end contact I2 of a usual bulb l3 removably fitted in the open upper end of the socket member 8, Fig. 6. The contact button ll bears on the upper side of a collar l4 slidable l5 vertically in the socket member 8 and bearing on the upper end. of a coil spring l5 in the member 8, the lower end of the spring resting on the lower end of the member 8. The bulb l3 has the usual oppositelydisposed pins I 6 removably insertible 20 in bayonet slots ll in the upper end of the socket member 8. I

Fastened to the lower end of the socket member 8 is a flat plate of metal l8 having a vhole through which is adapted to be extended a screw 5 I9.

The lower flange 4 of the channel supporting member is provided between the lens 1 and the reflector 5 with .a hole 20 of larger diameter than the diameter of the bulb l3. The upper 30 portion of the socket member 8 and the bulb l3 are removably upwardly insertible through the hole 20 to a position, shown in Fig. 1 in dotted lines, in which the bulb l3 will be disposed. between the reflector 5 and the lens I, so that rays of light will be projected by the bulb l3, and reflected by the reflector 5 through the lens 1 forwardly, rearwardly and laterally outwardly, so as to be seen by cars approaching from either direction and passing. I

The bottom flange 4 is provided with a threaded hole in which. is fitted removably the screw [9, whereby they lamp socket body 8 may be. re-

leasablyiastened tothe bottom flange 4.

The screw 19 is disposed when fitted in the bottom flange 4 at the outer side of the reflector 5 and is, preferably, of a length such that it will project above the bottom flange 4, and serve to hold the reflector 5 and lens 1 from outward lateral movement on the bottom flange 4. 5 Should the screw I9 not be of such length, the lamp bulb It will hold the reflector and lens from such outward displacement.

In case the screws 3 employed to fasten the Channel supporting member to the car body have flat heads flush with the outer side of the portion I of the supporting member, the latter is provided respectively adjacent its ends with outwardly extending tongues 21 disposed at the outer side of the ends of the reflector plate 5, so as to limit the endwise movement of the latter and the lens I on the channel supporting member I.

To replace a bulb l3, the screw I9 is removed, thus permitting the socket member 8 and bulb l3 being withdrawn through the hole 20. When the bulb has been replaced, the parts are reassembled and are held in their operative positions by the replaced screw l9.

The channel supporting member l-4 is preferably made from relatively thick sheet steel, so that it will withstand violent blows. By having the flanges 4 extending for a substantial distance outside the lens I, the latter and the lamp and reflector 5 are efficiently protected:

The reflector plate 5 may be of any suitable metal having a reflecting polished outer side, as nickel plated steel.

The disposition of the channel supporting member l4 horizontally lengthwise of the car, as shown in Fig. 1, the light from the bulb l3 may be seen from the front and rear through a range of 180 degrees.

The socket body 8 is grounded through the plate l8, the flange 4 and the car body 2.

The form of our invention shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9 corresponds in structure and mode of operation to that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, excepting that the reflector as a separate unit is eliminated, as are the plate l8 and the screw [9, the socket body 8 being extended through a hole 20' in the bottom flange 4 and its lower end portion flanged outwardly and engaging the under side of the flange 4, thus permanently fastening the body thereto.

The lens 1 has its ends sprung into engagement with the tongues 2| which hold the lens from endwise or outward shifting.

To replacea bulb l3, the lens I is compressed enough to permit its withdrawal from engagement with the tongues 2 I, the bulb l3 then being removed and replaced by another bulb, after vvlhich the lens 1 is reengaged with the tongues If it is so desired, the outer side of the vertical portion of the channel supporting member l--4 may be provided with a polished reflecting surface.

In other respects than those differences just mentioned, the structure shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9 corresponds to that of Figs. 1 to 6.

The lens I is preferably of resilient material, so that when its ends are inserted behind the projections 2|, which incline outwardly and toward each other, the compressed lens will be firmly held.,

Other modifications of our invention, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit of our invention,

What we claim is:

1. An automobile clearance signal comprising a channel supporting member open at one side for its full length and adapted to be fastened to a car, an electric lamp having a bulb between and of suflicient width to enclose the space between the flanges of said member, means for attaching said lamp to said member, a lens at the outer side of said bulb between said flanges, the latter projecting a substantial distance outside of said lens, and means including projections on said member at opposite sides of said bulb for limiting the endwise movement of said lens.

2. An automobile signal comprising a channel supporting member open at one side for its full length and adapted to be fastened to a car,

' and having two projections, an electric lamp having a bulb between the flanges of said member and between said projections, means for attaching said lamp to said member, and an arcuate lens at the outer side of said bulb between and of sufiicient width to inclose the space between said flanges, the latter projecting a substantial distance outside of said lens, said lens having its ends respectively engageable by said projections for limiting the endwise movement of said lens.

3. An automobile signal comprising a channel supporting member open at one side for its full length and adapted to be fastened to a car, and having on its transverse portion between its flanges two projections which incline outwardly toward each other, an electric lamp having a bulb between said flanges and between said projections, means for attaching said lamp to said member, and an arcuate resilient lens at the outer side of said bulb between and of suificient width to enclose the space between said flanges, the latter projecting a substantial distance outside said lens, said lens having its end portions sprung between and into holding engagemen with'said projections respectively. 7

4. An automobile clearance signal comprising a channel supporting member open at one side for its full length and adapted to be fastened to a car, a lamp between the flanges of said member, a lens at the outer side of said lamp between and of suflicient width to enclose the space between said flanges, the latter projecting outside of said lens, and Imeans for retaining said lens in its operative position.

5. An automobile clearance signal comprising a channel supporting member open at one side its full length and adapted to be fastened to a car, a lamp between the flanges of said member, and a lens at the outer side of said lamp between and of sufficient width to enclose the space between said flanges and extending at its ends to the transverse portion of said channel member.

RAY R. ALLISON.

CHARLES A. STEINBECK. 

